‘Allochtoon’ gone from Labour document

The much-criticised word allochtoon which is widely used to describe for non-white immigrants, has been replaced by ‘new Netherlander’ in the revised version of the Labour party’s policy document on integration, reports the Volkskrant.

Written by party chairwoman Lilianne Ploumen, Divided Pasts, Shared Futures, evoked widespread criticism from Labour party members for its tough stance when it was published in December last year. On the party’s website, Plouman says the revised text ‘respects the social reality, the successes and the problems which integration and living together brings with it’. The new version has also dropped a call for immigrants to choose ‘unconditionally’ for the Netherlands and says it is up to individuals to decide for themselves whether they wish to keep their double nationality. According to the Volkskrant, party members sent in 392 amendments to the initial document. The new version will be put to the party congress on March 14.Click here to read our story on Labour’s original policy document